Handheld radios for the mountains

[kyleds8]

What do you all think is the best radio system to communicate within a party in the mountains? I am concerned that line of sight won't cut it.. What has the best range? I do not have a HAM license, but based on Chas Carmichael's review on Rokslide, GMRS systems have come a lot closer to amateur VHF radios? Any recommendations on durable, water-resistant radio systems with good range they would be much appreciated! GMRS, HAM, or other? How big a deal is it to use VHF radios without license?

I carry an extendable antenna to track the dogs, so detachable antenna would be a plus.

Many thanks!

 

[Marbles]

What do you all think is the best radio system to communicate within a party in the mountains? I am concerned that line of sight won't cut it.. What has the best range? I do not have a HAM license, but based on Chas Carmichael's review on Rokslide, GMRS systems have come a lot closer to amateur VHF radios? Any recommendations on durable, water-resistant radio systems with good range they would be much appreciated! GMRS, HAM, or other? How big a deal is it to use VHF radios without license?

I carry an extendable antenna to track the dogs, so detachable antenna would be a plus.

Many thanks!

A HAM license is easy to get. Just get one. You will know a lot more about radios and get more use out of them. All VHF is radio line of sight. There are ways around thay, get a HAM and you will have a good idea of what questions to ask and where to start.

 

[just.mark]

The amount of repeaters that support ham radio and there ease of use make it the way to go. My jeep club now requires all members to have a HAM liscences and we always have comms and many of us use $30 handheld Chinese radios.

 

[Coldtrail]

Regardless of what you choose for frequencies....make sure you can afford to lose it, I have tethered mine all sorts of ways and tried keeping them in my most secure pocket but still often find I left another offering for the radio gods, so I don't go crazy on $$$ for portable radios.

 

[just.mark]

The BAOFENG UV-5R is what I use. I think it's around $24 on Amazon.